Since Jesus birth in Bethlehem by the miracle of the 'Incarnation.' (in Christian theology, the embodiment of God, the begotten Son in human flesh) Indeed, Jesus Christ had lived physically on earth. But 40 days after the resurrection, His earthly ministry ceased with His 'Ascension' into heaven.

To a large extent the 'Ascension' was for the benefit of Jesus' apostles, prophets, disciples, followers and believers. They could no longer expect His physical presence. They must now wait for the promised of the Holy Spirit through whom the work of Jesus would continue.

Bethlehem is the birthplace of Jesus Christ. It was situated south of Jerusalem in the district known as Ephrathah, a region known for its fertile hills and valleys. Bethlehem was the burial place of Rachel, the wife of Jacob/Israel. - Gen. 35:19 - The original home of Naomi and her family, it was also the setting for much of the Book of Ruth. Bethlehem also was the ancestral home of king David - 1 Sam. 17:12 - and was rebuilt and fortified by king Rehoboam - 2 Chr. 11:6 -

The prophet Micah predicted that Bethlehem would be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. - Mic. 5:2 - a prophecy quoted in Matthew 2:6. It is significant that the King of kings who was of the house of king David, was born in David's ancestral home. According to Luke 2:11, Jesus was born in the "City of David" Bethlehem. Christ Jesus who is the "Bread of Life." was cradled in a town whose name means "House of Breads."

The Church of the Nativity which marks the birthplace of the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, is one of the best authenticated sites in the Holy Land. The present structure, built over the cave area which served as a stable for the inn, goes back to the time of the Roman emperor Justinian (6th century A.D.) This Church replaces an earlier building, built in A.D. 330 by Helena, the mother of the Roman emperor Constantine.

Jesus' departure into heaven was a bodily Ascension in His resurrection body. The setting of the 'Ascension' has traditionally been regarded in the Old Testament.

When Enoch was 65 years old he became the father of Methuselah. Enoch walked with God. After the birth of Methuselah he lived for three hundred years and he became the father of sons and daughters. In all, Enoch lived for 365 years. Enoch walked with God. Then he vanished because God took him. - Gen. 5:21-24 -

This is what happened when Yahweh took Elijah up to heaven in the whirlwind: Elijah and Elisha set out from Gilgal, and Elijah said to Elisha, 'Please stay here, for Yahweh is only sending me to Bethel.'........ The brotherhood of prophets who live at Bethel came out to meet Elisha and said, 'Do you know that Yahweh is going to carry your lord and master away today?' 'Yes, I know' he said 'be quiet.' Elijah said, 'Elisha, please stay here, Yahweh is only sending me to Jericho.'......

Fifty of the brotherhood of prophets followed them, halting some distance away as the two of them stood beside the Jordan. Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water; and the water divided to left and right, and the two of them crossed over dry-shod.... Now as they walked on, talking as they went, a chariot of fire appeared and horses of fire, coming between the two of them; and Elijah went up to heaven in the whirlwind. Elisha saw it, and shouted, 'My father! My father! Chariot of Israel and its chargers!' Then he lost sight of him. - 2 Kin. 2:1-12 -

Now having met together, they asked Jesus, 'Lord, has the time come? Are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel?' Jesus replied, 'It is not for you to know times or dates that the Father has decided by His own authority, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth.'

As Jesus said this he was lifted up while they looked on, and a cloud took Jesus from their sight. They were still staring into the sky when suddenly two men in white were standing near them and they said, 'Why are you men from Galilee standing here looking into the sky? Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, this same Jesus will come back in the same way as you have seen Him go there.' - Acts 1:6-11 -

And so the Lord Jesus Christ, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place, while they, going out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it. - Mark 16:19-20 -

At the moment of writing to you, I am hoping that I may be with you soon; but in case I should be delayed, I wanted you to know how people ought to behave in God's family - that is, in the Church of the living God, which upholds the truth and keeps it safe. Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is very deep indeed:
                                                   Jesus was made visible in the flesh,
                                                   attested by the Spirit,
                                                   seen by angels,
                                                   proclaimed to the pagans,
                                                   believed in by the world,
                                                   taken up in glory. - 1 Tim. 3:14-16 -

Apostle Stephen and Apostle Paul both reported seeing the Lord Jesus Christ in bodily form after His Ascension.

The Ascension marked the beginning of the Lord Jesus Christ intercession for His apostles, prophets, disciples, followers and believers at the right of God. There He makes continual intercession for all.

In Apostle Stephen's speech: .......'You stubborn people with your pagan hearts and pagan ears. You are always resisting the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. Can you name a single prophet your ancestors never persecuted? In the past they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, and now you have become his betrayers, his murderers. You who had the Law brought to you by angels are the very ones who have not kept it.'

They were infuriated when they heard this, and ground their teeth at apostle Stephen.

But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God's right hand. 'I can see heaven thrown open' he said 'and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.' - Acts 7:51-56 -

Christ died for our sins, in accordance with the Sacred Scriptures; that he was buried; and that he was raised to life on the third day, in accordance with the Sacred Scripture; that He appeared first to Cephas and secondly to the Twelve. Next Jesus appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died; then He appeared to James, and then to all the apostles; and last of all Christ Jesus appeared to me (apostle Paul) too; it was as though I was born when no one expected it. - 1 Cor. 15:4-8 - Acts 9:1-19 -

Could anyone accuse those that God has chosen? When God acquits, could anyone condemn? Could Christ Jesus? No! Jesus not only died for us - He rose from the died, and there at God's right hand He stands and pleads for us. - Rom. 8:33-34 -

Then there used to be a great number of those other priests, because death put an end to each one of them; but this one, because He remains for ever, can never lose His priesthood. It follows, then, that Christ Jesus power to save is utterly certain, since He is living for ever to intercede for all who come to God through Him. - Heb. 7:23-25 -

The Ascension set in motion the coming of the Holy Spirit with His gifts for apostles, prophets, followers, believers, and now enjoys the presence of the Holy Spirit. This reign will last until His 'Second Coming' when the Lord Jesus Christ will return to the earth as the reigning Messiah.

Now you must repent and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, and so that the Lord may send the time of comfort. Then He will send you the Christ He has predestined, that is Jesus, whom heaven must keep till the universal restoration comes which God proclaimed, speaking through His holy prophets. - Acts 3:20-21 -

Holy Spirit refers to the third person......

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Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless. 

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -